Roman Catholic Bishops 'Troubled' By Trump's Executive Orders

 In response to this week’s Executive Orders signed by President Donald Trump, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)  released a statement slamming the president.  The executive orders made changes relating to immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, the expansion of the death penalty, and the environment.

“Many of the issues President Trump addresses in his recent Executive Orders, along with what may be issued in the coming days, are matters on which the Church has much to offer. Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us. Other provisions in the Executive Orders can be seen in a more positive light, such as recognizing the truth about each human person as male or female. 

“I wish to reiterate that the Catholic Church is not aligned with any political party, and neither is the bishops’ conference. No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church’s teachings remain unchanged. It is our hope that the leadership of our Country will reconsider those actions which disregard not only the human dignity of a few, but of us all. 

“Following the ancient tradition, Pope Francis has declared 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope. As Christians, our hope is always in Jesus Christ, who guides us through storm and calm weather. He is the source of all truth. Our prayer is one of hope that, as a Nation blessed with many gifts, our actions demonstrate a genuine care for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and infirm, and migrants and refugees. The just Judge expects nothing less.”

Catholic Charities, over which the USCCB presides, has received millions of dollars to house, feed, and shelter illegal immigrants and the homeless, especially unaccompanied children.

On January 21, Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Church of the USA called on Trump during a homily at the Episcopal National Cathedral to show "mercy" to illegal immigrants and gender-confused and homosexual people. The Episcopal Church officially denounced Trump's family separation policy, and said it will "continue to provide practical pathways to protect the most vulnerable among us." The church, affiliated with the Anglican Communion, is standing against mass deportation and supporting programs like Temporary Protected Status.

In the election in which Trump defeated Democrat challenger Kamala Harris, 85% of white Evangelical Protestants, 59% of white Catholics and 57% of white non-Evangelical Protestants voted for Trump, according to the polling from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute. Its survey showed that 64% of Hispanic Protestants and 43% of Hispanic Catholics cast their vote for Trump.

The USCCB will publish additional information pertaining to specific Executive Orders on usccb.org.